Philippine Trogon looks like a real-life ‘Ibong Adarna’

What if the Ibong Adarna wasn’t entirely make-believe?

Deep inside Philippine forests lives a bird so colorful and striking that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Davao Region is comparing it to the legendary creature: the Philippine Trogon.

Known scientifically as Harpactes ardens, the Philippine Trogon is endemic to the country, meaning it is naturally found only in the Philippines. It has been documented in protected areas such as Mt. Hamiguitan Wildlife Sanctuary and Mt. Apo Natural Park during DENR biodiversity monitoring activities.

And it certainly looks the part.

Male Philippine Trogons have black heads, pink chests and vivid red bellies, while females display more subdued mustard-yellow and olive tones.

Like the mythical Ibong Adarna, the bird also has a distinctive song—although this one cannot cure the sick or perform magic.

DENR describes its call as somewhat similar to a horse’s neigh, with a descending series of notes that initially speeds up before gradually slowing down.

Growing to around a foot long, the Philippine Trogon also plays an important role in the forest. It feeds on fruits and insects, helping disperse seeds and regulate insect populations while contributing to forest regeneration and ecological balance.

In 2023, a female Philippine Trogon was also documented in Mt. Apo Natural Park during biodiversity monitoring, highlighting the rich wildlife found within Davao Region’s protected areas.

The species is classified as “Other Wildlife Species” under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09 and is protected under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act. Globally, it is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The Ibong Adarna may remain a creature of Filipino folklore, but with the brilliantly colored Philippine Trogon hiding among our forests, reality comes surprisingly close to the legend.

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